collage-swimmers-4 - Washingtonian

(Left to right) Peyton Carter, 8. Langdon Park Pool. Jordan Watson, 24, and Caroline Florence, 24. Banneker Pool. “I started swimming competitively when I was eight. We’ve been swimming together for six years now,” Florence says. “There’s definitely good people-watching here.” Xavion Nicholos, 13. Langdon Park Pool.

Summer Days at Some DC Public Pools Can Be Like a Party

Check out some regulars at Banneker and Langdon, two popular DC pools.

Written by David Tran | Photographed by Chris Buck | Published on August 11, 2022

Chris_Buck_DC_Swimmers_Sunday_Set_38_132908_V5 - Washingtonian — Dustin Renwick, 34. Banneker Pool. “I want to be the first person here in May when they open. I want to be the last person out when they lock the gates in September. To me, this is quintessential summer.”

Chris_Buck_DC_Swimmers_Sunday_Set_33_132481_132488_V3 - Washingtonian — Anya Pinchuk, 48 (left), Yva Zongo, 9, and Lina Khawaldah, 42. Banneker Pool. “Our daughter loves to swim. She learned to swim here.”

Chris_Buck_DC_Swimmers_Sunday_Set_28_132329_V3 - Washingtonian — Briana Webster Campbell, 40 (left), and Ramsey Campbell, 5. Banneker Pool. “There’s always music playing,” says Briana. “You kind of feel like you’re at a resort but right in your own community.”

Chris_Buck_DC_Swimmers_Sunday_Set_29_132341_V1 - Washingtonian — David E. Bell Jr., 60. Banneker Pool.

Chris_Buck_DC_Swimmers_Sunday_Set_37_132821_132831_V4 - Washingtonian — Julia Kelmers, 31. Banneker Pool. “If someone’s been trying to do something on the diving board for a long time and they don’t nail it, no one says anything. But once they get it, you’ll hear claps around the pool. Everyone’s rooting for you.”

Chris_Buck_DC_Swimmers_Saturday_Set_20_132036_132037_V4 - Washingtonian — Christopher Gutierrez, 26 and Ray Gutierrez, 5. Langdon Park Pool.

Chris_Buck_DC_Swimmers_Saturday_Set_12_131593_V4 - Washingtonian — Kiansa McLean, 23. Langdon Park Pool. “I’m due July 25. It’s just me showing off my pregnant belly and giving her some sun.”

Chris_Buck_DC_Swimmers_Saturday_131882_V2 - Washingtonian — Marley’Ani Williams, 5. Langdon Park Pool.

Chris_Buck_DC_Swimmers_Sunday_Set_35_132578_V4 - Washingtonian — Joaquin Obieta, 38 (left), and Patrick Hewitt, 30. Banneker Pool. “I love how inclusive and accommodating Banneker is,” Obieta says. “I can show up anytime and feel that I’m part of the party.”

Chris_Buck_DC_Swimmers_Sunday_Set_25_132171_V3 - Washingtonian — Joshua Rouach, 11 (back), and Ruben Rouach, 7. Banneker Pool. “I like the pool because almost every time I come here,” Ruben says, “the pool is really hot.”

This article appears in the August 2022 issue of Washingtonian.

More: Features Pools summer Swimmers

David Tran

Editorial Fellow